Emerging forward Josh Schache has taken some big strides in 2019.
Arguably the two most significant performances of his 46-game AFL career – or at least his 19 in red, white and blue – have come this year.
Senior coach Luke Beveridge labelled his match-winning, four-goal effort against Hawthorn in round two as “a big day” in the 21-year-old’s career.
But perhaps his efforts on Saturday night in heavy rain against Port Adelaide to help keep the Bulldogs’ season alive were even more significant.
On a night where taking opportunities was critical, Schache kicked three goals straight.
And on a night that was far from designed for a 199-centimetre key forward to have a decisive impact, Schache repeatedly made a contest and did just that.
“I think a lot of people would have looked at (Saturday night’s) conditions and written him off before the game had started for what it looked like,” midfielder Jack Macrae told 3AW.
“With ‘Schach’, he’s just such a talented player and he’s got great goal nous.
“It’s just that intensity and giving us a contest all the time, and then we know the rest of his game will flourish.
“He had some great, strong marks going back with the flight on a night that was extremely hard to do.”
ROARKE FUELLED BY BEVO’S BELIEF
Crashing packs and making a contest has been a focus area for Schache this season.
It’s something he prides his game on, and something his teammates acknowledge is important to the way they want to play.
After two goalless games and a combined 11 touches in rounds three and four, Schache went back to VFL level for two months to work on his game.
He’s now kicked three goals
“That was part of his challenge, he was sent back to the twos a little while ago,” defender Taylor Duryea told RSN Breakfast Club.
“In my first game from injury in the VFL I played with him. I just loved in that particular game how much he crashed packs, how much of a presence he was. He didn’t necessarily mark every ball, but he was a focal point for us.
“That’s sort of carried through in his last couple of weeks.
“That’s something he can build his game from and know that he can have an impact that way.
“Fortunately for us he was able to clunk a few and kick straight, and we know he’s such a great shot at goal. Hopefully he just continues to go in that manner and be a really big player for us.”
